Tantalum: A Rare Metal Discovered in Sutlej

Introduction:

• Tantalum is a rare, corrosion-resistant metal with the atomic number 73.
• It is grey, heavy, and extremely hard.
• Known for forming a protective oxide layer when exposed to air, making it resistant to corrosion even in harsh environments.

Physical Properties:

• Tantalum is ductile, allowing it to be drawn into thin wires or threads without breaking.
• Resistant to chemical attacks below 150°C, except by hydrofluoric acid, fluoride ion solutions, and sulphur trioxide.
• It has one of the highest melting points among metals.

Applications of Tantalum:

• Widely used in electronics for making capacitors that store electricity efficiently in small sizes.
• Serves as a cheaper alternative to platinum due to its high melting point.
• Utilized in manufacturing parts for chemical plants, nuclear facilities, aircraft, and missiles.
• Biocompatible, making it suitable for surgical tools and implants like artificial joints.
• Tantalum carbide (TaC) composite, known for its extreme hardness, is used in high-speed machine tools.

Why in News:

• Recently, the discovery of tantalum in the Sutlej region has brought attention to this metal.